Wednesday 31 October 2012

#Turbovember

Wasn`t going to attempt this challenge but now Ive come to think of it, I may aswell as many others from TriTalk are taking part it will be some encouragement along the way.

So what is #turbovember....?

Linked from - http://www.dragonironman.blogspot.co.uk/

The goal is to hit that turbo for the 30 days straight that is the month of November 2012.

This will bring huge rewards on the path to improved cycle speed/endurance/fitness.

"Rules"

A minimum of 30 mins must be ridden on a turbo-trainer, on every day in November 2012.
Within the 30 days, the following must be ticked off -

At least x3 turbo-run brick sessions (minimum 45 min turbo, then minimum 20 min run)
At least x3 90 min turbo sessions.
At least x1 120 min sesh.

Other points of note.

As this is a turbo based challenge, the aim is to do just that, but if there is a very good weather window, then a maximum of 3 sessions out of the 30 can be done outside.
If racing during November (duathlon, sportive etc..), this is permitted as one of the 3 outdoor rides.
Gym/spin bikes are permitted, but only if 'timecrunched'. ...tho a gym brick set is a good pose, and usually puts other spinners to shame.

This does sound achievable and rather fun.

My running is steadily improving having done a 30 and 35min run within the past week or so, I plan to increase the time by 5 minutes a week up to 2 hours.

I completed my longest ever ride this past Sunday completing 70miles past Alyesbury and back, This is a great motivator to keep doing one long ride a week over the Winter to try and get to 100 miles by March time.

I am planning to enter the Dragon Ride for June 2013. It sits a week after the Outlaw half and 4 weeks before Germany which is a great time to get in a final 120mile grueling ride.

It boasts 120miles through south Wales going 3,500 meters up (around 10,000ft) I think this would be great for the mental edge in Germany only elevating 3000 ft throughout the whole 112 miles.

http://www.wiggledragonride.com/

I am also entering the Watford Jogger Autumn Challenge which is a 5 mile run off road around Cassiobury Park. This takes place in a couple of weeks and I should be just about ready for that distance when it arrives!.

Wednesday 17 October 2012

Season Taking shape

So its been about 6 weeks since I last posted but I will start to make entries more frequently as my plan begins to take shape


I have just entered the Outlaw half for next season as good preparation for Germany. The full outlaw race is based in Nottingham and is fast becoming one of the most iconic races on the calendar. This is the first year of them doing a half distance and is set to sellout within hours. The entries have been open for about 2 hours and already over a quarter of places have gone but Im in :).

The race takes place June 2nd 2013 which is exactly 5 weeks before Germany which will be a great dry run to test pacing / nutrition and that still gives me time to work on bits before my 3 weeks taper commences mid June.

My biking has come on leaps and bounds having kept my spinning up to 2/3 times a week and doing long hilly rides at the weekends. I am sure that if I can do a 50mile ride with over 3000ft of elevation in a good time then I should be very confident in doing the same elevation over double the distance in Germany in a better time.

I have taken up Body Balance classes at the gym also to strengthen my legs and core. I am hoping this will prevent injury when I start my running training for Brighton.

So next year the plan so far looks like this

14th April 2013 - Brighton Marathon
2nd June 2013 - Outlaw Half Iron
7th July 2013 - Ironman Frankfurt

I do plan to do some longer riding events e.g London to somewhere and also plan to do a half iron relay with some friends later next year.

Training starts 10th December